Peg board display fastener and connector

ABSTRACT

A clip includes a head having a thumbscrew protrusion and a body with spaced apart threads. The clip is of various widths and lengths to accommodate, most preferably, different widths and depths of holes in peg board. Most preferably, the clip is sized to accommodate ¼ inch peg board, and is used to releasably secure items such as advertisements and promotional material to the peg board.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and incorporates byreference hereto, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/063,967 of thesame title, filed Feb. 6, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a connector or fastener for use with a displayboard. In particular, the invention relates to a reusable fastenerdesigned to secure material such as promotional posters, displays, andbrackets to a peg board backing in a retail environment. Of course, aperson of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the inventionis not necessarily so limited.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In retail environments promotional and marketing display material iscommonly affixed to open wall space near, or in anticipation of thearrival of, goods or services for sale. Conventionally, these materials,which can include posters, displays, product samples, or othermaterials, are affixed to a backing adapted for repeated display andremoval of the items. A common type of backing is referred to as pegboard, which consists of a durable material with a pattern ofperforations located in a predetermined pattern. Connectors, fasteners,or brackets are designed to secure materials to the peg board in asecure manner. Also, do to the fact that these displays are frequentlychanged the connectors and fasteners must be reasonably capable ofremoval to allow for such updates.

Prior art connectors include devices that include a generally flat headconnected to an extended body that is sized to be captured in the spacedapart holes of the peg board. The connectors pass through holes in thematerial to be displayed and then into the peg board and thereby providea reasonably stable mounting mechanism. Such connectors include, socalled “canoe clips.” These clips have a body that includes an elongatedcenter gap and are sized slightly wider than the peg board holes, suchthat upon insertion the body is compressed about the gap to formsufficient tension to retain the clip. The head of the clip is flatwithout any indentations or grooves for removal. In fact, the clips donot include any particular structural elements to allow for removal.When the display is replaced the clips are pulled or pried out of place,normally in a destructive manner, thrown away and new clips are used forthe next display. In this manner the clips are disposable and notsuitable for reuse.

Another such device is the “Christmas tree” clip. These clips alsocontain a head and body, however, in this case the body includes aplurality of teeth disposed along the axis of the body, each toothcomprised of a circumferential flange angled to resist removal afterinsertion. Again, the clips do not include any convenient means ofremoval and are therefore designed for one-time disposable use.

While these prior art clips are generally inexpensive plastic articles,ultimately the cost of continued replacement of used clips becomes verysignificant. Furthermore, the environmental impact of disposable clipsis detrimental. Additionally, because these clips are not designed to beremoved easily overtime they damage the peg board requiring furthercosts and expense.

Accordingly, a need exists for a fastener or clop that overcomes thedifficulties of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of peg board with prior artclips securing an advertisement poster.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portion of the peg board with clipsof the present invention inserted therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portion of the peg board with theclips of the present invention supporting a Plexiglas mounting bracket.

FIG. 4 is a side view of two prior art clips and the clip of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of two prior art clips and the clip of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 includes additional views of the clip of the present invention.

FIG. 7 includes views of a first alternative clop of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 includes views of a second, third, and fourth alternative clip ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures, various configurations of a fastener/connector clip 10are shown. The clip 10 includes a head 12 having a thumbscrew protrusion14, and a body 16 with spaced apart threads 18. The clip 10 is ofvarious widths and lengths to accommodate, most preferably, differentwidth and depth of holes 20 in peg board 22. Most preferably, the clip10 is sized to accommodate ¼ inch peg board. Of course, variations ofsize, orientation, and application of the clips 10 are within the scopeof the present invention. In particular, the clips 10 are notnecessarily limited to use with peg board.

As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 6, a conventional peg board 22 is shownwhich is used to display advertising and promotional material such asthe poster 24 shown in FIG. 1. Prior art clips, such as canoe clips 26or Christmas tree clips 28, as described in the Background are shownsecuring two corners of the poster 24. As described, the prior art clips26, 28 are generally effective at securing display materials to pegboard, however, they do not include any means for removal that does notresult in damage to the clip or the underlying peg board. In particular,the clips 26, 28 can be removed using with a flathead screw diver orsimilar pry type device, but as stated this usually results in damage.

FIG. 2 shows the peg board 22 with the clips 10 of the present inventionin place securing two of the corners of the poster 24. The clips areeasily threaded into the holes 20 of the peg board 22 using thethumbscrew 14 of the head 12 of the clips 10. Similarly, the clips 10can be easily removed in a non-destructive manner, and reused as manytimes as desired.

FIG. 3 shows the clips 10 used to secure a Plexiglas bracket 30 to thepeg board 22. The bracket 30 is of a type commonly used in the retaildisplay environment to affix products and further display items to thepeg board 22. As can be seen, the clips 10 are easily adapted toreleasable securement in this application as well.

FIG. 4 shows in a side by side manner a side view of the clips 10, 26,28. The widely spaced apart threads 18 are clearly visible in contrastto the teeth of the Christmas tree clip 28 and the compressible gapdesign of the canoe clip 26. The advantage being that the clips 10releasably securely engage the peg board 22 with the threads 18 and areeasily withdrawn. Shown also is the thumbscrew 14 of the head 12, whichprovides an easily accessible surface to grasp when inserting orremoving the clips 10 from the peg board 22.

FIG. 5 shows in side-by-side manner the tops of the clips 10, 26, 28.Only the clips 10 are adapted for removal and reuse. The prior art clips26, 28 have planer top surfaces that do not allow for easy grasp andremoval, and must be destructively pried out of the peg board 22

In the foregoing manner the clips 10 substantially overcome the problemsof the prior art by providing a clip 10 that is designed for releasablebut yet secure attachment of display items to peg board surfaces 22. Theclips, therefore, are subject to reuse which saves time, money, effort,and addresses environmental issues associated with the waste of priorart clips.

FIG. 6 shows the clip 10 having ribs 11 in the thumbscrew protrusion 14of the head 12. The ribs 11 enhance the ability to grip the protrusion14 of the head 12 of the clip 10 during insertion and removal of theclip 10 from the holes 20 in the peg board 22.

FIG. 7 shows a first alternative clip 32 of the present invention. Theclip 32 is comprised of a pin 34 and body 36. The pin 34 has opposingextending shoulders 38, which fit within the keyed slot 40 of the body36. The body 36 includes a plurality of teeth 42, or threads, which willassist in retaining the clip 32 when deployed.

After inserting the pin 34 in the keyed slot 40 of the body 36, theshoulders 38 fit into flanges 44 located in the body 36. Next, ascrewdriver or “quarter” can be used to turn the pin 34 such that theshoulders 38 no longer rest in the flanges 44 of the body 36, but applyoutward pressure to the body 36 that will further assist in retainingthe clips 32. This comprises the deployed position, wherein the teeth 42are pressed against the retaining surface, or form a lock on thebackside of the retaining surface, such that the clip 32 cannot beeasily removed. Reversing the process will allow the shoulders 38 toreturn to the non-deployed position and the clip 32 can be easilyremoved and reused without damage to the retaining surface.

Similarly, FIG. 8 shows three further alternative embodiments. In oneembodiment, clips 44 include a head 48 with a handle 50, and have aV-shaped open body 52. Upon insertion, the V-shaped body 52 iscompressed which create retention tension, along with grooves 54. Thehandle 50 is shaped to receive the end of a standard screw driver toremove the clip 44. In this manner, the clip 44 is releaseablyengageable with a display mounting surface such as peg board.

In yet another embodiment, a clip 54 is shown having a hinged head 56,along with a body 58 having teeth 60. The hinged head 56 folds down uponinsertion, and can be hinged upward to provide a grasping handle forremoval of the clip 54. In this manner, the clip 44 is also releaseablyengageable with a display mounting surface such as peg board.

In a still further embodiment, a clip 62 includes a head 64 and body 66comprised of two scissor portions 68. The scissor portions 68 have acentral pivot point and retaining grooves 70. After the clip 62 isinserted the head 64 can be toggled to deploy the grooves 70 into orbehind the display mounting surface in order to provide for releasableretention. The clip 62 can be removed by toggling the head 64 back intothe position where the scissor portions 68 are aligned. In this manner,the clip 64 is also releaseably engageable with a display mountingsurface such as peg board.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described below. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that havethe disclosure before them will be able to make modifications andvariations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A fastener clip for use in securing materials such as displays,poster, or brackets to receiving medium such as peg board, said clipcomprising: a head; and a body connected to said head.
 2. The clip ofclaim 1 wherein said body further comprises widely spaced apart threads.3. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head further comprises a thumbscrewprotrusion.
 4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is adapted forreleasable securement to holes in the receiving medium.
 5. The clip ofclaim 4 wherein the clip is adapted for releasable securement of displaymaterials to the receiving medium.
 6. The clip of claim 4 wherein theclip is adapted for releasable securement of brackets to the receivingmedium.
 7. The clip of claim 4 wherein the receiving medium is pegboard.
 8. The clip of claim 3 wherein said thumbscrew protrusioncomprises ribs.
 9. A fastener clip for use in securing materials such asdisplays, poster, or brackets to receiving medium such as peg board,said clip comprising: a head; a pin secured to said head; and a bodyhaving for receiving said pin.
 10. The clip of claim 9 wherein said pinfurther comprises at least one shoulder adapted for releasablesecurement within said body.
 11. The clip of claim 10 wherein said pinhas at least two opposing shoulders adapted for releasable securementwithin said body in a deployed position.
 12. The clip of claim 11wherein said body further comprises a slot.
 13. The clip of claim 12wherein said slot receives said shoulders for releasable securementwithin said body, upon turning said pin.
 14. The clip of claim 9 whereinsaid body has a plurality of teeth adapted for releasable securement toholes in the receiving medium.
 15. The clip of claim 1 wherein said bodyhas an open V-shape to create retention pressure upon insertion into thereceiving medium.
 16. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head is hinged tomove between an insertion and retention position.
 17. The clip of claim16 wherein said head and said body have teeth for retention in thereceiving medium.
 18. The clip of claim 1 wherein said head foldsbetween a flat position and a upright position.